DIY Stand Thoughts

[H2OCulture]

Good Evening,

This is a freshwater aquarium, but I thought I'd come here since y'all are the big tank experts. I wanted to build my own stand for a 72x24x24 I recieved, and now that I'm nearly done with the structure of it, I'd like some thoughts before I fill it, namely, will it be safe. The stand is made of 3/4 melamine on the top and bottom, 4 posts made of 2x6 and 2x4, joined together by steel pallet rack that's rated to 6000lbs, supported in the center by 4 2x6s. The steel is fastened to the wood by 20 1/2in 316 stainless bolts. The rack is slightly lower in the middle so it was shimmed to press against the melamine top. I know this seems like overkill, but I'd like some opinions before I fill it since I have never made a hybrid wood/steel stand before.

Thank you for your help!

 

[H2OCulture]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw8EMeCAyp_/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=18wiyu6705rvu

 

[mcgyvr]

Its a bit difficult to see all thats going on there but you certainly have enough 2x6's to easily support a tank of that size..

Are you planning on skinning the outside?

Are you going to seal the edges of those melamine boards? Any water and that crap swells up and breaks apart.. Its ok if sealed but any exposed edges are going to get destroyed..

 

[billdogg]

^^^This^^^

The melamine must be sealed completely or it will quickly disintegrate. I used melamine for the substrate of my laminate top, but to make sure it would hold up, I laminated all 6 surfaces. Bottom first, then sides, then top so that any spills couldn't sit on and exposed seam.

 

[H2OCulture]

Great, thank you for the suggestions! I'll be sure to seal it up.

 

[Krush]

+1 can attest melamine cant get wet.